This article contains update on the reopening of schools (secondary schools and universities) in Ghana for the year 2020.
The academic year all over the world was brought to an abrupt end in March 2020 as a measure to combat the fast spread C***D 19. Many countries were not left out of this drastic decision that was taken. Uganda which happens to be one of the affected countries has so far registered 1,072 confirmed cases, with 958 recoveries and zero death since March 21 has been indecisive as to when schools will reopen.
On numerous occasions, there have been speculations on reopening of schools. This left many in high hopes. It was however brought to the notice of the government that many households are desirous to have schools reopened as the lockdown tends to be causing more harm than good.
Why The Move For Reopening Of Schools In Uganda?
From observations and reports, it was discovered that school girls have been exposed to all manner of ill treatments and harassment in the course of the lock down. While many girls have been given out in child marriage, others have been brutally assaulted sexually by men seeking for their preys.
This development has forced many families to move for the reopening of schools as it is believed that these girls are safer away from home on a daily basis. While the Government has refused to yield to the demands of the people due to the health risk this may expose the country to, strict measures have been put in place to ensure the protection of the girl child from abuse.
While the citizens of Uganda are still anticipating the reopening of schools, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently said the government will make a final decision in September on whether to reopen schools.
He further stated that the government will continue to monitor the situation while still maintaining the preventive measures.
However, while the Government is yet to decide on when schools will reopen, serious deliberations are being made on whether or not to allow finalists to get back to school to round-off the academic year.
With this in mind, the ministry of education in collaboration with the education task force have worked together to put in place strategies that should be implemented in the case where schools reopens.
Some of the proposed measures include the following:
1. SPLITTING OF CLASSES
In the bid to control the incidence of the virus spread, the ministry of education proposed that should schools reopen, classes will be attended in batches for schools with large number of students with not more than 5hours interval. Thus, there will be alternation between morning and afternoon classes.
2. MAINTENANCE OF ONE PATTERN ON SCHOOLING
In the the were schools are eventually opened for candidate students/finalists, schools have being advised to stick to either operating a day school or a boarding school and not both .
The above measures are to be implemented alongside with the already existing measures which includes;
- The two-meter distance between learners, at least 10 to 15 students can be accommodated in a standard classroom for primary and secondary and tertiary institutions and ensures good ventilation.
- Availability of wash facilities
- Regular disinfection,
- Supervising break periods, and scatter releasing students for breaks, lunch, and going home to limit interaction.
As a result of the economic condition of the country, it has been seen that an average school in the country lacks the finance to put in place the minimum requirements for reopening of schools. In this regard, the Government has received a grant of about 55.8 billion shillings in order to assist all government schools to put in place the necessary requirements.
While all these are ongoing, the Government of Uganda has stood its ground while encouraging the masses to remain patient as the Government observes the recent development concerning the pandemic.
However, in order to help students to keep up with the academics and not completely lag behind, the ministry has put homeschooling programmes in place, with the national curriculum development centre currently developing reading materials which will be given out to all learners across the country.
The said programme will be supported by broadcasted radio and TV lessons. In the bid to support the programme, the government has embarked on the procurement process of at least 9 million radio sets to be given to every household and 137,466 solar-powered television sets to villages across the country. Reports have it that these materials will be distributed before mid September, 2020.
Coupled with the above plans, the Minister of Education and sports, Janet Museveni in her recent TV broadcast advised Ugandans to remain patient on the issue concerning the normal reopening of Institutions. She further advised those in higher Institutions to take advantage of elearning inorder to ensure continued learning while the lockdown of schools is ongoing.
CONCLUSION
From the look of things, Uganda, like many countries is yet to decide on when schools will reopen fully. According to the Minister of education, the experience of other countries that decided reopen schools amidst the pandemic is not what they wish to experience and as such, there is not set date on when schools will reopen in Uganda. However, more control measures are being put in place in the case of reopening of schools.
